By Victoria Onehi
The second phase of the Dry/ Wet Season farming intervention would commence this month to enhance productivity the Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, has revealed .
The Minister made this known during the courtesy visit by the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi to his office, in Abuja on Friday.
He stated that the visit signified the strong partnership between the State and the Federal Government in the collective efforts to ensure food security and development of agriculture in Nigeria.
Abubakar expressed appreciation to the Governor of Jigawa State for his remarkable successes in the preparation of farmlands and distribution of agricultural inputs in the ongoing wheat Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme.
He recalled that on the 25th of November, 2023, the Executive Governor, the Emir of Hadejia and other dignitaries warmly received some Management Staff of the Ministry at the official flag-off of the 2023/2024 Dry Season Farming at the Kadume farm cluster in Hadejia.
He also extended his profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering support in the quest for food security in the country, adding that the Ministry is focused on ramping up massive production of staple crops using technology and mechanization to achieve the goal.
The Minister in a statement pointed out that It is imperative for government to tackle some of the challenges observed and ensure that they do not impede agricultural development agenda.
“These challenges include reported cases of round-tripping in connivance with agro-dealers and poor validation of farmers’ data in parts of the participating states” noting that the case of Jigawa State was remarkably different.”Kyari said.
Speaking further, he stated that the Ministry was fully committed to addressing the issues and equally determined to implementing stringent measures in the forthcoming Dry/ Wet season farming for rice, maize and cassava to ensure transparent distribution to genuine farmers.
He therefore urged all stakeholders in the agriculture sector to overcome the challenges and ensure a successful intervention despite the time constraints.
Also speaking, the Hon. Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi,CON, recalled that upon assumption of office, there was the felt need to get champions to drive the Food Security Agenda. He praised the Jigawa Governor for being a true champion in this regard.
Sen. Abduallahi said the ministry would recommend the critical success factors in Jigawa State participation in the wheat programme as a model for other states.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, commended the Ministry for all the support and confidence reposed in Jigawa State. He said his visit was a home – coming, pointing out that “I am here on behalf of the people and farmers of Jigawa State”.
The Governor thanked the Federal Government for giving Jigawa State the largest share of hectares for Wheat production during the Dry Season Farming under the NAGS-AP programme. He said in total, the state already has nearly 50,000 hectares of wheat under cultivation.
He assured that Jigawa State will continue to cooperate with the Ministry to achieve food security in the country, pointing out that presently, Jigawa State was updating its farmers register and by the time they commence the rice dry season farming, they would have a completed data base for rice farmers.
